Decanting Very Small Quantities Of Developer

Marco S. · Nov 6, 2005

Greetings,

Would it be acceptable to decant a 500 ml bottle of developer into 10, 2 ounce bottles? (50ml each bottle). I develop film a couple times a month, and it would spoil before using it all up.

This way I can use a pre-measured amout each time I develop film (1+9) for a 500 tank. I was wondering if anyone did this and if there were any drawbacks by doing so. Sorry if this seems like a dumb question, I'm still learning. Books and the internet has helped me, but they can't replace asking a real person.

Marco

David A. Goldfarb · Nov 6, 2005

Yes, this is a reasonable approach. Most people wouldn't divide the developer into so many bottles, I think, but if you're not processing that often, the developer would last longer if kept in small but full bottles.

Another option is to develop more film at a time, but it's good to see your results at about the same time you shoot, so in your case, I think the 2 oz. bottle solution is a good one.

df cardwell · Nov 6, 2005

You'll have different results with different developers. Rodinal is the King: it'll last forever anyhow. Aculux 2 keeps very well, but decanting it will help. FX39 will go bad if you don't use it.. might not be worth the trouble.

What are you using ?

Marco S. · Nov 6, 2005

I'm using FX-39, and soon Aculux 2 with Delta 100 and Neopan 400 in 35mm and 120. I've read that they don't keep that well after opening. It's hard sticking to one or two film and developer combinations with so much variety out there!

MattKing · Nov 7, 2005

One minor point - 2 oz is closer to 59 ml than 50 ml.

I am currently dividing my 16 oz bottles of HC110 (473 ml) into 8 portions - 7 small glass bottles of 59 ml (2 oz) and the rest diluted to my own version of stock solution (1/2 the strength of the stock solution suggested by Kodak).

I struggled in my attempts to obtain appropriate means to measure these smaller quantities - my most recent solution is a kitchen utensil - a 30 ml syringe that is intended for use in injecting turkeys and chickens!

You have to be careful with the liquid measures - the US measures (ounces) are different than the traditional UK and Canadian ounces. Metric is safer.

Matt

BradS · Nov 7, 2005

I also decant the HC-110 concentrate into small amber glass bottles. I think the bottles I use are clser to three or four ounces each. I draw off what I need 8 or 10ml at a time using a 12ml "transfer pipet" (aka syringe) that cost all of $1.50 at a lab supply store. You can often find a similar tool at teh pharmacist. They give 'em out with liquid meds for infants. Usually, just ask and they'll give you one free (it helps to have your kid in tow).

Gerald Koch · Nov 7, 2005

HC-110 is like Rodinal, the concentrate will last forever. No need to store in small bottles but I would still move it to a glass container.

avandesande · Nov 7, 2005

Make things easier for yourself and just fill them to the top. Make a small development correction and you won't have to measure again.

BradS · Nov 7, 2005

Gerald Koch said:
HC-110 is like Rodinal, the concentrate will last forever. No need to store in small bottles but I would still move it to a glass container.

I decant the HC-100 into smaller bottles as much for the convenience of handling as anything. It is much easier to get the tip of the syringe into the liquid when the liquid is in a little bottle than when it's in a big one - especially when the big one is half full (or less).

Gerald Koch · Nov 7, 2005

BradS said:
I decant the HC-100 into smaller bottles as much for the convenience of handling as anything. It is much easier to get the tip of the syringe into the liquid when the liquid is in a little bottle than when it's in a big one - especially when the big one is half full (or less).

A short length of Tygon tubing attached to the syringe makes it easy to get to the bottom of a larger bottle. Small diameter Tygon tubing is available from pet stores for aerating fish tanks.

BarrieB · Nov 7, 2005

Yes, for 'RollFilms' I mix up Kodak D-76 and decant into 200Ml. brown bottles (actually cough mixture bottles I have saved over the years ) which I top up until overflowing, then I screw on the lids, wash the outsides, and label. Developer lasts over 12 months, I always use it one + one and Ican quickly get my temp. correct in cold weather. The bottles actually hold 210mls and 420 mls is adequate for my SS Tanks.
I am sure other 'one shot developers would be fine also , BarrieB Australia

Marco S. · Nov 7, 2005

avandesande said:
Make things easier for yourself and just fill them to the top. Make a small development correction and you won't have to measure again.

I am afraid I don't know how to make that type of correction. I am lost without precise instructions to follow. Do you think the extra 9 ml of air in each bottle will spoil the developer?

Marco

Curt · Nov 7, 2005

This is a trick Rodinal question isn't it? I looked on the box of Rodinal and it said it would last forever unopened, or something like that, and partially filled about six months. It would make sense to decant it into smaller amber bottles that are full if you are only going to use it occasionally.

I use a syringe and a blunt spinal needle to draw it up, but any glass tube, and don't use you mouth, would do as long as you have figured the ratio out. Even a straw with your finger over the end would work. A glass syringe is really the best though because you can clean it and reuse it over and over.

BradS · Nov 7, 2005

Gerald Koch said:
A short length of Tygon tubing attached to the syringe makes it easy to get to the bottom of a larger bottle. Small diameter Tygon tubing is available from pet stores for aerating fish tanks.

Hmmm, good idea. I'll have to look for this stuff. Thanks for the tip.

dancqu · Nov 7, 2005

MattKing said:
One minor point - 2 oz is closer to 59 ml than 50 ml.
Matt

That's true. Another minor point:
I've quite a collection of glass Boston Rounds. Their capacity
is specified in ounces. In reality their capacities are fractions
of a liter. I've measured a few bottles of each of a few sizes
using class A graduated cylinders. The fractions are, 1/32,
1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1/1 of a LITER. The 1 'ounce' is an
exception. It's volume is 34.5ml.

Within manufacturing tolerances, which I believe are
tight, all Boston Rounds can be considered to have
same capacity.

My class A cylinders spend a lot of time collecting
dust. Precision volumetric determinations are a time
consuming chore. But if you really think it better to
know for sure how much ... Dan

Decanting Very Small Quantities Of Developer

Marco S.

David A. Goldfarb

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df cardwell

Marco S.

MattKing

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BradS

Gerald Koch

avandesande

BradS

Gerald Koch

BarrieB

Marco S.

Curt

BradS

dancqu

Decanting Very Small Quantities Of Developer

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